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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

George I. Gay, Commissioner, Planning Division, to Professor J. A. Field, Staff of United States Shipping Board

Chronological Copy.                         File No. <42/2/4>

<July 5, 1918.>

                   Cablegram Received  July 10106.           SFM

Origin Opnav Washington.                    Ser. No. S.M. 219

C-3 July 6

29 AD

CONFIDENTIAL

Simsadus.

Boards Navy 219. From Gay to Field. Your 279.1 Steamers assigned to Navy service June 28 11 tankers 94,522 D[ead]W[eight] other classes 46 freighters 183,799 DW  20 freighters and passenger 86,895 DW 2 freight passenger and refrigerators ships 13,500 DW total other classes 68 vessels 284,194 DW. We have no knowledge of any sailors assigned to Navy but will inform you immediately if investigation uncovers anything. We are gathering data now for additional requirements for Navy for rest of year.

     Navy owns certain vessels of which we have no record. Also certain vessels operated by Navy have been classified by us as in Army service in our bi-monthly analysis of the present service and suitability for other service of American documented vessel and foreign vessels under charter to American citizens. Figures given do not include vessels owned by the Navy of which we have no record nor does it include vessels operated by the Navy but assigned to Army service.

     Full details of above figures include steamers assigned to the Navy by half month periods from March 14, 1918 to date and list of names of vessels assigned to the Navy as of 28 June 1918 go by pouch. 21205. 219.

Benson.

Note: “data” comes date, “year” comes your, both clear.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. This message was sent on Gay’s behalf by the office of Adm. William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, via the office of VAdm. William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters (Simsadus). The handwritten date is confirmed by the time/date stamp at the end of the cable.

Footnote 1: This document has not been found.

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